Supreme Court Takes Up Same-Sex Marriage

In a much-anticipated ruling and one near-and-dear to the hearts of many in the Bay Area, the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday has agreed to take its first serious look at the issue of gay marriage.

The court granted review of the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law which says marriage can exist only between a man and a woman, and Proposition 8, the voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage in California.

"This is a huge action," said Pete Williams, NBC News justice correspondent. He added it was a big surprise that the court took up both issues, and indicated that this will be an "actual blockbuster term" for the court.